2 Abu Salem men turn approvers in murder case

The Pradeep Jain murder case which hogged the limelight early this year with the extradition of key conspirator Abu Salem from Portugal, has taken a new turn with two accused and Salem aides becoming approvers and the matter being posted on July 28 for framing of charges.

Riaz Ahmed Siddiqui and Naeem Khan, on July 20, filed an application in the court of designated Judge PV Bavkar urging that they be given pardon and said they were ready to tell the court whatever they knew about the conspiracy hatched by Salem to kill builder Pradeep Jain.

The Judge accepted their application and kept the matter for framing of charges against Salem and two other accused. All the accused have been summoned on July 28 and prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam asked to be ready with the proposed draft of framing of charges.

It is the case of prosecution that Salem's gang wanted Jain to hand over a plot in suburban Andheri. When he refused Jain was shot dead by Salem's men on March 6, 1995.

Riaz and Naeem have told the police that they had attended the conspiracy meetings called by Salem and Anees Ibrahim, brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Dubai. At that time Salem was in the Dawood gang and later he separated to form his own outfit.

They have also admitted that Anees and Salem had hatched a plan to murder Jain and they were part of the conspiracy meeting that took place in Dubai.

Salem has received a big jolt with two of his men becoming approvers in this case, particularly at the time when he is alleging at all forums that Indian government was violating extradition conditions.